Railway-road furnace.



N0. 678,62l. Patented luly l6, I901.

- s. B. HYNES & w. N. BEST.

RAILWAY ROAD FURNACE.

(A'ppHcatiun filed Mar. 14, 1900.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet l.

TN: ucnms PETERS w. Pko'murko. wnsmuomn. u. c

No; 678,621, Patented July I6, l90i.

. s. B. uvmzs & w. N. BEST.

RAILWAY ROAD FURNACE.

' N M d I (Application filed Mar. 14, 1900.

( o o e 3 Sheets Sheet 2.

No. 678,621. Patented luly l6, I901. v

S. B. HYN'ES & W. N. BEST.

RAILWAY ROAD FURNACE.

(No Model.) (Application filed mar M, 1900') 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

wmfim SMM WMNW "cams PETERS co mo'm-umu, wAsnmmom u. c

are it throat SAMUEL B. IIYNES AND \VILLIAM NEIVTON BEST, OF LOSANGELES,

CALIFORNIA.

RAILWAY-ROAD FURNACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 678,621, dated July 16,1901.

Application filed March 14, 1900. Serial No. 8,682. iNo model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, SAMUEL BURKE HYNns and WILLIAM NEWTON Bnsr,citizens of the United States, residing at Los Angeles,

, bridge-irons, fish-plates, and other irons for the purpose of bendingor straightening them.

Another object of our invention is to provide a railway-track f urn acewhich can be used at pleasure for exterminating the weeds and grass onthe road-bed or the growth upon embankments, culverts, andbridge-approaches.

In order to conveniently eradicate the growth along and at the sides ofthe road-bed, it is necessary that a large body of intense flame beprojected upon the growth to bedestroyed; and with this object in viewour railway-road furnace comprises a refractory reverberatory nozzlehaving a downwardlyextending passage terminating in a slotshaped openingand one or more powerful hydrocarbon-burners, each located at the inletend of the nozzle to supply the nozzle with a large body of flame. Thereverberatorypassage chamber of the nozzle is preferably tapered fromthe inlet toward the outlet end, so that the body of flame is graduallycondensed as it approaches the outlet. The outlet is preferably'of awidth to extend fully across the track and about a foot outside therails, so that as the furnace when in operation is run along the railwaythe flame will be positively directed against the growth between therails and ties.

In carrying out our invention we prefer to provide a fender extendingfrom the outlet of the nozzle in the direction in which the flame isprojected and at each side, so as to confine the flame to the trackafter it has left the nozzle, thus making the action of the fire moreeffective to destroy the weeds and grass. The

fender also largely prevents the winds from driving the flame to oneside or the other. The fender is preferably in independent refurnace.

which is independently adjustable and removable. We also provide aremovable guard below the nozzle, between the inlet and the outlet endsthereof, to shield the flame from the action of the air which wouldotherwise tend to prevent the flame from reaching the ground edectively.

In order to use the apparatus for destroying the growth on the sides ofembankments, the nozzles may be mounted on a turn-table which is carriedby the truck-frame of the The nozzle is preferably pivoted on an axlewhich lies in a horizontal plane, so that the outlet end of the nozzlemay be raised and lowered to cause the flame to be dischargedhorizontally or downwardly in an inclined plane at will. This swivelarrange ment also enables the operator to turn the nozzle to throw theflame more to the windward side of the track in case the breeze is sostrong as to require this to be done in order to counteract thedeflection of the flame. The side fenders are preferably supported byflexible connections in order to allow this deflection of thereverberatory nozzle while the fenders are in operative position. Inactual use with the fenders in place it is found that as the train runsforward the flame will extend rear wardly from the fenders about twentyfeet and that in passing around curves it becomes necessary to turn thenozzle slightly in the direction of the radius of the curve. One purposeof the swivel arrangement is to allow this to be done, so as to bringthe flame to the required place for doing effective work at the curve.When the curve has been passed, the operation will again bring thenozzle to a straight position relative to the body of the car.

The accompanying drawings illustrate our invention.

Figure I is a side elevation of ourinvention as applied with a furnace-nozzle which is pivoted upon a horizontal axis. Fig. II isaplanof the same. Fig. III is a fragmental View of the invention as appliedwith a turn-table. The nozzle is shown turned sidewise to direct a bodyof flame down the sides of an embankment. The removable fenders areomitted from this View, for the reason that they will ordinarily bedetached when the nozzle is turned into the position shown in theseviews; but it is to be understood that the fenders will be attached forordinary work along the road-bed andin cases where the deflection of thenozzle is not so great as to interfere with the fender. Fig. IV is aplan view of the appliance as shown in Fig. III. Fig. V is a section ofthe nozzle on line V V, Figs. III and IV, with the parts arranged todirect the flame outward through the axial outlet. Fig. VI is afragmental mid-section of the outlet end of the nozzle arranged todirect the flame at an angle from the axis of the nozzle-chamber. Fig.VII is a plan view showing the machine furnished with a turntable withthe parts in position for going around a curve.

1 indicates a refractory nozzle having a down wardly-slantingpassage-chamber 2, with an outlet 3 at the lower end and a burner 4,located at the upper end of said passage, to supply the same with a bodyof flame.

Any number of burners maybe used. One burner may be sufficient or moremay be used, if required. In the drawings we have shown two burners 4,and we have also shown the internal passage or chamber divided by a wall5; but it is to be understood that the wall may be omitted or may bemade sectional to allow the flame to pass from one side to the other ofthe chamber or passage. We prefer to use the two burners and to employthe partition-wall 5, for the reason that the wall 5 gives strength tothe refractory lining of the chamber. The furnace-nozzle is preferablycomposed of a metal shell a, a fireclay chamber-body 1) inside theshell, and a non-heat-conducting lining c, of asbestos or other suitablematerial, between the fireclay chamber-body and the metal shell. A veryhigh heat is to be produced within the chamber, so that thechamber-body, which is preferably made of specially molded firebricks,will become red or white hot, and the external metal shell CtlSnecessary to hold the chamber-body intact; and the asbestos filling orlining between the refractory chamberbody and the metal shell preventsthe destructive heating of the shell, which would otherwise warp thesame and injure the nozzle.

The nozzle-chamber passage 2 is preferably arranged slanting andtapering downward, and the burner or burners are of great capacity, sothat the flame produced will reverberate within the chamber-passage 2 tointensely heat the refractory Walls thereof and produce an intense heatand flame which will issue from the outlet 3 under considerable pressureand will be projected forward and downward against the earth in such away as to be most effective for the destruction of growing grass andweeds. The extreme heat of the reverberatory chamber and the thoroughcommingling of air and the vapors from the hydro carbon by thereverberatory action causes a practically perfect combustion of all theoil and prevents all loss from escape of unconsumed gases or smoke.

Our invention is not confined to the work of destroying vegetation alongthe road-bed, and when it is desired to heat surface-bent rails oranyironwork which is required to be heated it is desirable that thenozzle may be adjusted to direct the flame upon the ironwork which is tobe heated. For this purpose and for convenient adjustment when not atwork the nozzle is pivoted by trunnion-bearings 6 to a frame 7, carriedby a truck 8.

9 indicates a quadrant-lever cooperating The noz-.

low the outlet 3, which is of a slot shape, to

extend fully across the track.

10 indicates means for introducing a forced draft into thenozzle-chamber, so as to cause a large body of intense flame to issuefrom the slot-outlets 3 at a high pressure when this is desired. In thedrawings the means for producing a forced draft is indicated by the pipe10, which leads from an air-compressor or fan. (Not shown.) We prefer touse a hydrocarbon-burner, although it is to be understood that anyburner which may be found suitable for the purpose may be used withoutdepartingfromourinvention. Itisimportant, though, that the refractorychamber be filled with a body of flame, so that the chamber will behighly heated, thus to produce a high degree of combustion of the oilsand gases while passing through the chamber, so that the flame and heatemitted by the nozzle will be sufficient to destroy the green growth ina minimum period of time.

The heat that issues from the nozzle will be found highly effective forheating surfacebent railway-rails or bridge-irons, which are ofconsiderable length and would otherwise be difficult to be properlyheated unless taken to the shop. The tapering form of the passage servesboth to condense the flame and to produce the requisite pressure andalso to direct the flame outward to the desired point.

It is desirable in some instances that the flame shall be directedlaterally of the track, so as to destroy the growth on the sides ofembankments at bridge approaches. For this purpose a turn-table 11,carried by the frame 7, Figs. III and IV, is provided, and therefractory nozzle ispivotally mounted in said turn-table, so that thenozzle can be turned sidewise of the track, as indicated in said Figs.III and IV.

12 and 14 indicate the fender formed in three sections, two sidesections or fenders 12 being provided to extend along the sides of thepath of the flame which issues from the outlet of the nozzle, and thetop section or eraser fender 14 being arranged extending from the nozzleabove the outlet of the nozzle. The side sections 12 of the fenderprotect the flame from the action of side drafts of air and concentratethe flame along the track. The top fender-section l l prevents the flamefrom lifting from the ground, and thus causes the flame to act with thegreatest efficiency upon the growth to be destroyed. Suitable means areprovided for raising and lowering the fender. These means consist offlexible connections 15 for the side sections 12, respectively, whichconnections pass over pulleys 16, secured to the frame 7, and areoperated by rods 17, one for each of the connections. Preferably aconnection 15 is placed at each end of each of the side sections.

18 indicates connections fastened to the top fender 14 and connectingthe same with cranklevers 19, which are operated by rods. The severalrods 17 and 20 are carried to the platform 21 of the frame 7. Theseseveral rods are preferably provided with ratchet-teeth, as at 22, tocatch upon a tie-rod 23, used between the two trusses 2% of the frame 7.

In Figs. V and VI the nozzle is shown with two outlets 3 and 31. Theoutlet 3 extends as an axial continuation of the chamber or passage 2.The outlet 31 is a downward extension of said chamber or passage. 32indicates means for closing the outlet 3, and 33 indicates means forclosing the outlet 31. So long as it is preferred to allow the flame tobe emitted through the outlet 3 the closure 32 will be removed and theplug 33 will be inserted in the outlet 31 and fastened by the bolts 34,which pass through lugs 35, which project from the nozzle, and saidbolts are secured by nuts 36. Then it is desired to project the flamedirectly downward through the outlet 31, the closure 32 will be appliedto close the outlet 3, and the plug 33 will be withdrawn from the outlet31 so that the flame will be directed downward substantially at rightangles to the axis of the nozzle passage.

37 indicates an air deflector or fender arranged below the nozzle toprotect the outlet end of the nozzle from the action of any air whichwould be forced under such end of the nozzle by the action of the forceswhen the nozzle is moved forward over the track. This deflector forcesthe air sidewise and pre vents it from coming beneath and buoying up theflame which issues from the nozzle. When the apparatus is run over thetrack, the advance of the deflector 37 produces a partial vacuumunderneath the front end of the nozzle, so that the flame can beeffectively directed down on the growth to be destroyed.

38 indicates a lever for operating the air shield or deflector 37 toraise or lower the front end, as may be found desirable in the practicaloperation.

39 indicates a rod for operating the lever 38.

In practical operation the apparatus will be drawn along the track inthe direction of the arrow, a supply of oil being provided in a tankwhich may be mounted on the frame 7, as indicated by the tank 40, orwhich may be the oil-tank of a supply oil-tank car. (Not shown.) The.steam for the hydrocarbonburner will be brought from the locomotive (notshown) through a hose 41. The air for forced draft may also be broughtfrom the locomotive through the pipe 10, which opens into the inlet endof the refractory nozzle.

42 indicates the pipe through which oil is supplied to the burner.

WVhen it is desired to heat railway-rails to straighten or bend them,the side fenders may be elevated out of the way or entirely removed. Therails and ties of the track will be covered with earth and the rails tobe straightened or bent will be brought across the track in front of andas close to the outlet-nozzle as is requisite and the flame will bedirected upon the rails to heat them. The same method is pursued inheating bridgeirons, fish-plates, or any other iron to be heated.

The speed at which the apparatus will be moved over the track willdepend upon the intensity of the flame and upon the luxuriance of thegrowth to be destroyed. When it is desired to destroy growth on thesides of embankments or at bridge-approaches, the nozzle, mounted asshown in Figs. III and IV, may be swung around by turning the turntable,and the flame may thus be directed to and down the sides of embankmentsor bridgeapproaches.

lVhen not in use and when coming to and from the work, the fenders areraised as high as possible and the outlet end of the furnacenozzle israised and the nozzle brought as near to a horizontal position aspossible.

The opposite ends of the top fender 14. can be raised and lowered,respectively, at will, and the opposite ends of the side fenders 12 canalso be raised independently, so as to allow the flame to find exit fromthe apparatus in a desired manner.

In case wind should deflect the blaze and cause it to be ineffective atthe windward side of the track the swiveled nozzle (shown in Figs. IIIand IV) can be turned sufficiently upon the turn-table to cause theflame to be directed positively toward the windward side of the track,thus to counteract the effect of the wind. The flexible connections 15,which support the fenders, (not shown in Figs. III and IV, but which itis to be understood from Figs. I and II will be applied,) will allow thefenders to be deflected at the end of the nozzle, so as to carry theflame to the windward side of the track at the point where it issuesfrom the nozzle.

What we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is

1. A railway-road furnace comprising a truck; a downwardly-directedrefractory reverberatory nozzle mounted aslant upon said truck andprovided with a downwardly-slanting tapering passage which terminates atits lower end in a slot-shaped outlet; and a hydrocarbon-burner locatedat the larger end of such passage to fill the passage with a body offlame.

2. A railway-road furnace comprising a truck; a frame mounted on andextending beyond said truck; a tapering refractory reverberatory nozzlemounted aslant on said frame and furnished at its lower end with anarrow slot shape outlet; a hydrocarbonburner located at the larger endof said nozzle to fill the same with a body of flame; and a flame-fenderextending beyond the nozzleoutlet.

3 A railwayroad furnace comprising a truck; a frame mounted on saidtruck; a refractory reverberatory nozzle pivotally mounted aslant onsaid frame and furnished at its lower end with a slot-shape outlet;means for adjusting the slant of the nozzle; and a hydrocarbon-burnerarranged todischarge flame into the inlet end of the nozzle.

4. A railway-road furnace comprising a truck; a frame mounted on saidtruck; a turntable carried by said frame; a refractory reverberatorynozzle pivotally mounted on said turn-table; means for adjusting theinclina tion of said nozzle; and a hydrocarbon-burner arranged todischarge flame into the inlet end of such nozzle.

5. The combination of a truck; a frame carried by said truck; arefractory reverber atory nozzle pivotally mounted on the frame andfurnished at its discharge end with a narrow slot-shape outlet; ahydrocarbonburner arranged to discharge a body of flame into the nozzle;and a fender extending beyond the outlet of the nozzle.

6. The combination of a truck; a frame mounted on the truck; arefractory reverberatory nozzle pivotally mounted on the frame andfurnished at its discharge end with a narrow slot-shape outlet; ahydrocarbonburner arranged to discharge a body of flame into the inletend of the nozzle; means for adjusting the nozzle at differentinclinations; a fender extending beyond the outlet of the nozzle; andmeans for adjusting said fender.

7. A railway-road furnace comprising a truck; a frame carried by saidtruck; a turntable on theframe; a refractory reverberatory nozzlepivoted to the turn-table on a horizontal axis; means for adjusting saidnozzle at different inclinations; a fender extending beyond the nozzle;means for raising and lowering the fender; and a hydrocarbonburner todischarge flame into the inlet end of said nozzle.

8. In a railway-road furnace, the combination of a truck-carried frame;a refractory reverberatory nozzle mounted on such frame and furnished atits discharge end with a narrow slot-shape outlet; flame-fendersrespectively at the sides of the nozzle-outlet; a flame-fender betweenthe, side fenders and above the plane of the nozzleoutlet; and means foradjusting the flame-fenders independently of each other.

9. In a railway-road furnace, the combination of a truck-carried frame;a refractory reverberatory nozzle mounted on such frame; flamefendersections at the sides respectively of the outlet of said nozzle; a topflamefender section between the side fenders and above the plane of thenozzle-outlet; crank= levers carried by the frame; connectionsconnecting the opposite ends of the top fender with thecrank levers,respectively; operating= rods, one for each of said levers for operatingthe levers respectively; and means for raising and lowering the sidefenders respectively.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification.

SAMUEL B. HYNES. WILLIAM NEWTON BEST. Witnesses:

F. W. FRITZ, O. M. HEFTIS, JAMES R. TOWNSEND, FRANCIS M. TOWNSEND.

